Mazda is showing off their next generation of SEMA concept cars with the all-new and even lighter Speedster concept, devoid of any driver protection, as well as the one of a kind RF Kuro concept car, named for its custom charcoal metallic finish and wheel and tire package that would be familiar to any fan of the Global Cup Car. The concept cars were designed in house at Mazda’s R&D center in Irvine and aim to honor the brand’s motorsport heritage while evoking a sense of “Mazda Premium.” Either way they both look like a lot of fun!
Press Release after the jump
OCTOBER 25, 2016
IRVINE, Calif. (October 25, 2016) – Always mixing performance and polish, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is offering a glimpse of its 2016 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) concept cars ahead of their formal debut. Borrowing style and speed from the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup race car, as well as elevating Mazda’s iconic and lightweight sports car with premium details, are the MX-5 Speedster and MX-5 RF Kuro concepts.
After debuting the Global MX-5 Cup race car at the 2014 SEMA show, Mazda first introduced the MX-5 Speedster to the world at the 2015 SEMA show, taking the base car’s lightweight ethos to a new level. For this year’s show, Mazda’s design team took a big step forward, creating the Evolution, painted White Ether, taking the concept a step further with more than 100 lbs. removed from last year. Now just under 2,000 lbs., MX-5 Speedster Evolution is approximately 350 lbs. lighter than a stock MX-5 soft top.
Mazda also is displaying the MX-5 RF Kuro concept, based on the 2017 MX-5 Retractable Fastback that will be on sale early next year. MX-5 RF Kuro is painted in a semi-matte metallic concept color developed in-house called “Kuro,” which means “charcoal” in Japanese. It rides on 17×7.5-inch RAYS forged wheels, 215/45R17 BFGoodrich Rival G-Force tires and the adjustable suspension from the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires.
Both concepts were conceived by Mazda Design Americas to showcase contrasting directions that create a “Mazda Premium” experience while paying homage to Mazda’s performance heritage. They were designed and built in-house by Mazda’s Design team in Irvine, California.
MX-5 Speedster Evolution and MX-5 RF Kuro concepts will be on display at the SEMA Show on November 1-4 in the Mazda booth, #11647, in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.